THE HUSBAND
All promises should be kept, but one
made to your mother is sacred.
When Tony started school, Mum told me
I should always look after him, so I raised my hand in the Scout salute and
promised.
I knew he had a crush on Maggie, but
when we married I assumed he’d find his own wife. Instead he hung around like a
bad smell, even after the children were born.
Last week I finally told him to sling
his hook, but today he came pleading to make up, with a bottle in each pocket.
I should never have drunk it.
......................................................................................
THIRD SIDE OF THE TRIANGLE
Maggie was mine ever since school,
where I sharpened her pencils and protected her from bullies.
After we grew up I taught her to
dance and she fitted my arms perfectly – until my brother seduced her with his
money and flash cars. I still took her flowers, though, when I went round to
share my home-brew with Richard. Then he got jealous of how close Maggie and I
were getting and threw me out, but he couldn’t resist my beer.
After the funeral I tried to comfort Maggie,
but she’s turned against me.
I wonder if she’d like parsnip wine?